The 7 Absolute Best Museums in Rome

Heading to Rome but unsure about which museums to visit or what to see other than the Sistine Chapel?

Things guide will detail which museums are “must-see” and what famous artwork they have on display. It will even lead to more detailed articles on each museum.  Enjoy!

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Pro Tip: Bookmarks are the key to organizing a great trip.  Bookmark this post in a “Rome” folder in your browser.  This way you can circle back to it while your traveling. Also, check out our top-rated Rome tours – the Eternal City needs explaining.

Top 7 Museums in Rome

With over 60 museums in Rome, you probably won’t be able to see them all in your first couple of visits.  Here is a shortlist of Museums to start with which should take you at least 3 or 4 trips.

7. MAXXI Museum

Address: Via Guido Reni, 4a

Entrance Cost: 12€

If you are looking for something contrarian and extremely local to do in Rome, the MAXXI Museum is an excellent choice.  The name, MAXXI, stands for Museo Nazionale delle Arte dei XXI secolo or MAXXI. Pretty creative.

The building designed by Zaha Hadid, an Iraqi British architect, and is amazing in a very modern way.  The museum is two-fold featuring art and architecture.  There are many interior and exterior larger works of art.

6. Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (Museo Nationale Romano)

Address: Largo di Villa Peretti 2

Entrance Cost:  7€  + cost of the exhibition if one exists (normally 3€ extra)

This is the place where the list derails a bit.  There are many arguments for Palazzo Massimo, which is part of the Museu Nationale di Roma,  to be higher up or even 2nd place.  It is a very large and prominent collection including a captivating version of Discobolus of Casteloporziano aka Discus Thrower.

Very similar to many of the galleries on this list, you simply won’t find crowds here.  The Vatican will be so packed with people it will turn you off to other museums but it is the only museum in Rome with crowds like that.

You can stroll into Palazzo Massimo with a reservation, buy a ticket, and enjoy tons of incredible works of art.  Like all the museums on this list, we recommend a tour and can provide a private tour here.  Contact us, [email protected]

If you are going it alone, here are the most notable works of art to see:

• Frescoes of Villa Farnesina
• Portonaccio Sarcophagus
• Collection of Ancient Coins (massive & impressive collection)
• Sleeping Hermaphroditus
• Via Cassia Mummy
• Ludovisi Hermes
• Tiber Apollo
• Discobolus of Casteloporziano

5. Palazzo Altemps (Museo Nationale Romano)

Address: Piazza di Sant’Apollinare, 46

Entrance Cost:  7€  + cost of the exhibition if one exists (normally 3€ extra)

It’s true that most Rome experts wouldn’t credit this museum so high on the list.  I try to enter this museum as often as possible and it is really all about two statues. The first is the Galata Ludovisi.  In English, it’s named the Ludovisi Gaul or also the Galatian Suicide. An amazing story that you’ll have to read about below.

The second is the Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus which is an absolutely breathtaking relief. Words really can’t describe it.

This, like most museums in Rome, is a private collection that was eventually handed over to the state.   This would either be by gifting it or lack of heirs.  Some important works are:

• Throne with the Birth of Venus
• Ludovisi Dionysus
• Ludovisi Throne
• The Suicidal Gual
• Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus
• The Courtyard

You’ll undoubtedly gain by taking a tour of this particular museum but also could make a list of the top things to see and do some phone research.  The Suicidal Gaul is my favorite ancient statue in Rome and the story is extremely romantic in a twisted way.

• Top Things to See at Palazzo Altemps Rome

4. Palazzo Barberini

Rome is such a special city when it comes to museums and artwork.  In any other city, Palazzo Barberini would be the main gallery to see.  Fortunately for you, Rome has a ton of other museums pulling visitors to must-see attractions and it leaves these hidden gems practically empty.

The Palace, built in the 17th century, was owned and occupied by the famed Barberini family of Rome. The man who would later become the infamous Pope Urban VIII purchased this plot of land from the Sforza family (hailing from Milan) who were using it as a vineyard.

He quickly started plans to build an impressive structure with the help of famed architect Carlo Moderno. After his death, the job was passed to Gian Lorenzo Bernini.  It was finished in 1633 and filled with art.

It is important to mention that Borromini, an iconic architect & sculpture, was originally working with Moderno on the project prior to his death.  He more than likely expected to take it over but Bernini received the commission instead. Borromini continued to work on the project and there was no news of dramatics but the hit to his ego may have motivated to build one of the most beautiful spiral staircases of all-time, the Holicodial Staircase.

Famous Works of Art Inside:

• Exterior Facade & Gardens
• Allegory of Divine Providence & Barberini Power by Pietro Cortona (Incredible)
• Helicoidal Staircase by Borromini (most notable attraction)
• Judith Beheading Holofernes by Caravaggio (very powerful)
• La Fornarina by Raphael (his famed mistress)
• Annuciation by Filippo Lippi
• The Last Judgement by Fra Angelico
• Et in Arcadia Edo by Guericino

Address: Via delle Quattro Fontane, 13

Entrance Cost:  12€

3. The Capitoline Museum

The Capitoline Museum or Musei Capitolini is definitely the full package.  The theme of the museum is more ancient history which is befitting as it sits on the outer edge of the Roman Forum with one of the best views.

The museum is split up into three buildings

• Palazzo Senatorio – built in the 12th century and updated by Michelangelo himself.  Overlooks the forum.
• Palazzo dei Conservatori – built in the 16th century and also redesigned by Michelangelo
• Palazzo Nuovo – built in 17th century directly across from Palazzo Conservatori with identical exterior design

Michelangelo had a massive effect on the exterior appeal of this museum complex.  He not only designed the format of these museums but also the stairs leading up to Piazza Campidoglio which are named la Cordonata.  

Famous Works of Art Inside:

• La Cordonata
• Piazza Campidoglio
• View of the Roman Forum from the back of Palazzo Senetorio
• The Dying Gaul
• Head of the Colossal Statue of Constantine I
• Eros Thanatos
• Bust of Augustus
• Commodus as Hercules (gotta love Commodus)
• Heracles Fighting
• Triton
• The Pinario
• Baby Hercules Strangling a Snake
• Capitoline Wolf
• Bernini’s Medusa
• Statue of Horti Lamiani
• Cupid & Psyche
• Statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (most notable attraction)

Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, 1

Admission Cost: 11.50€ + Exhibition fee (3€ to 4€ extra which varies)

2. The Borghese Gallery (Galleria Borghese)

Address: Piazzale Scipione Borghese 5

Admission Cost: 15€ (can fluctuate based on exhibitions)

This unassuming little museum comes easily in second for me for a few reasons.  First, they limit the number of visitors who can enter at a time to 360 visitors.  Second, they limit the time you can stay inside to 2 hours which is the perfect amount of time to visit this gallery.

Lastly, and definitely not least, they have arguably one of the greatest collections of Baroque artwork per square foot on Earth.  They have at least ten works by Gian Lorenzo Bernini at any given time (some less popular items may be lent out to other museums.

You will also find paintings by masters such as Caravaggio, Raphael, Peter Paul Rubens, and more.

Famous Works of Art Inside:

• Boy with a Bowl of Fruit by Caravaggio
• St. Jerome by Caravaggio
• Palafrenieri by Caravaggio
• Sick Bacchus by Caravaggio
• David with the Head of Goliath by Caravaggio
• Aeneas, Anchises, & Ascanius by Berini
• Rape of Proserpine by Bernini
• Apollo & Daphne by Berini
• David by Berini
• Pauline Bonaparte by Canova
• Lady with a Unicorn by Raphael
• The Deposition by Raphael
• Diana and Her Nymphs by Domenichino

The Borghese Gallery is my absolute favorite tour to give for great reasons.  Baroque art is defined by it’s passionate and sharp movements coupled with the immense storytelling in each work of art.  Portraits were not dead but more complex paintings were definitely popularized.

Check out our Private Borghese “Story Tellers” Tour.  It is a shorter tour and reasonably priced for a private experience.  Just your group and the guide will make this the highlight of your art experience in Rome.

For more info on tickets, hours, artworks, and facts read our other articles specifically on the Borghese Gallery.

• Visiting the Borghese Gallery: Everything You Need to Know
• Top 15 Things to See at the Borghese Gallery with Full Descriptions

1. The Vatican Museums

Address: The Vatican City Museums Entrance

Admission Cost: 17€ (additional fees to reserve in advance)

The Vatican Museums or Musei Vaticani is unarguably one of the best collections of art on Earth.  It is home to countless masterpieces including Michelangelo’s famed Sistine Chapel.

A chapel so incredible that countless visitors pass through without realizing Sandro Botticelli, one of the greatest artists ever to live, painted multiple panels on the walls. A trip to Rome is not complete without visiting the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.

Famous Works of Art Inside:

• Sistine Chapel
• The Gallery of the Maps
• St. Peter’s Basilica
• Lacoön Group
• Apollo Belvedere
• Great Torso
• The Transfiguration by Raphael
• St. Matthew by Guido Reni
• The Raphael Rooms
• The Borgia Apartments
• Garden of Eden by Wenzel Peter
• and more

We are a tour company so we almost always recommend a tour but the Vatican Museums is a must. Even if you know what to see inside the Vatican Museums, you may not find even with a map. Not just that but local guides really make it come alive.

We have a long list of Vatican tours from small groups to private based on your budget.

Related Articles to the Vatican:

• The Best Vatican Tours to Take and Why + Map
• Top 10 Things to See at the Vatican Museums
• Ultimate Guide to the Gallery of Maps in the Vatican: Look No Further
• Visiting the Vatican: All the Tips & Tricks You Need
• Ultimate Guide to The Gallery of Tapestries in the Vatican: Look No Further!
• Do You Need a Passport to go to Vatican City?
• How to Climb the Dome St. Peter’s Basilica
• Ultimate Guide to the Raphael Rooms in the Vatican: Look No Further!
• Ultimate Guide to the Pio Clementino Museum in the Vatican: Look No Further